How did England finish third at the 2026 FIFA World Cup? What was their path at the tournament?

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How did England record their best finish at a FIFA World Cup since 1966 in Canada, the USA and Mexico? Read on to find out how they made it to semi-finals, and why they ended up finishing third overall.

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England were on the right side of the draw after topping Group L, meaning they avoided the likes of France and Spain until the World Cup final at the earliest.

They were only one game from doing that.

Thomas Tuchel's side required the heroics of Harry Kane to get past DR Congo in Atlanta in the last 32, meaning they could continue dreaming of making it to the final.

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And it was Kane and Jude Bellingham to the rescue against Mexico, as the Three Lions battled to a 3-2 win.

Kane was subdued in the quarter-final against Norway, but Bellingham was not, as his two goals fired England into the last four.

Bellingham netted on the stroke of half-time to cancel out Andreas Schjelderup's opener - and he was on target again in extra-time to seize on an error from Norway goalkeeper Orjan Nyland to set up a semi-final with Argentina.

What happened in the semi-finals?

After digging deep to beat Norway, England had to overcome defending champions Argentina to reach the final.

La Albiceleste beat Switzerland in extra time in their quarter-final, which followed a controversial late comeback victory over Egypt, and a thriller against minnows Cabo Verde in the previous knockout rounds.

The semi-final appeared to be going perfectly for The Three Lions as Anthony Gordon gave them the lead in the 55th minute of normal time.

However, they missed out on a first World Cup final since 1966 after two late goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez saw them sink to a 2-1 loss.

They played France in the third-place play-off instead, beating their rivals 6-4 in a classic to cap an impressive performance at th 2026 World Cup.

Who could England have played in the final?

If England had made the World Cup final, they would have faced a heavyweight from the other side of the draw in the form of Spain.

They beat France in their blockbuster semi-final.

What were England's results?

England's Group L games

Wednesday, June 17: England 4-2 Croatia (Dallas)

Tuesday, June 23: England 0-0 Ghana (Boston)

Saturday, June 27: England 2-0 Panama (New Jersey)

England's last-32 game

Wednesday, July 1: England 2-1 DR Congo (Atlanta)

England's last-16 game

Sunday, July 5: England 3-2 Mexico (Mexico City)

England's quarter-final game

Saturday, July 11: England 2-1 Norway (Miami)

England's semi-final game

Wednesday, July 15: England 1-2 Argentina (Atlanta)

England's third-place game

Saturday, July 18: England 6-4 France (Miami)

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